The photo blog page of Ted Soqui a Los Angeles based photojournalist. He has over 30 years experience covering the news and events of Los Angeles. All images and text on this blog are copyright protected.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Developer Rick Caruso gave the press a tour of his new development, The Americana At Brand. It is a mixed-use urban development built in the middle of Glendale, CA. The Americana will have 75 stores and boutiques, indoor and outdoor eating, a movie theater, and luxury apartments and condos. A two-acre grass and tree lined park which features a small pond with dancing fountains is set in the middle of the development. There is also a 65 passenger trolley, built in Iowa by Gomaco Trolley Corp., that will roll on 1800 ft of track around the Americana. The Americana cost 400 million dollars and was built on schedule. Opening day is Friday May 2, 2008.

A 500 acre forest fire in the rugged and very steep hills of Sierra Madre, California marks the beginning of LA's fire season. Fire crews made fast work of knocking down the flames and didn't lose any significant structures. Over 1000 local residents were asked to leave their homes because of the fire. Inmate labor was used to fight the flames and dig fire breaks in the brutal 94 plus degree heat. Aircraft from Aero Union-P3A , LA County-firecopters, along with a CDF firecopter fought the fire from the air.

Monday, April 14, 2008

A twin-engine Cessna 310 crashed in to two homes in the 500 block of West Cypress Street in the City of Compton. Two people on the plane and two on the ground were initially reported to be in critical condition. A fifth victim reported feeling ill after the crash but all are expected to survive. The plane was finally pulled from the house it landed on. NTSB officials have yet to figure out the cause of the crash. The plane was scheduled to land at the near by Compton Airport.

Friday, April 4, 2008

Thousands of Firefighters attended the funeral procession and services for fallen LAFD Firefighter Brent Lovrien. The procession marched from LA City Hall to the Our Queen Of Angels Cathedral. Firefighter Brent Lovrien was killed on duty last week while working an electrical explosion near LAX. Lovrien was a hazardous material specialist from station 95. His station engine, number 95, carried Brent's bright fire engine red casket to the Cathedral passing many thousands of saluting Firefighters from all over the country. Brent will be buried at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier.